Legislators grumble about Crist's political focus

By Joe FollickTallahassee Bureau

Published: Sunday, March 1, 2009 at 6:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, March 1, 2009 at 6:38 a.m.

TALLAHASSEE - The seeds of resentment have been planted in the Legislature as lawmakers from the left and the right grumble under the pressure of budget blues that have dropped state spending by $7 billion in the past two years.

Gov. Charlie Crist throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the Washington Nationals and Houston Astros spring training baseball game Wednesday in Kissimmee.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

But their anger may be vented toward Gov. Charlie Crist as lawmakers open up their annual 60-day session on Tuesday with deep cuts in education and health care spending likely.

After lawmakers made a difficult decision to cut spending for a popular environmental land purchasing program in January, Crist vetoed the cut despite feelings among some lawmakers that he had promised to support them.

While even conservative Republicans are taking tentative tiptoes toward the sensitive topic of tax increases, Crist loudly proclaimed they weren't necessary. And as legislative leaders like Senate budget chief J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales, have made a point of encouraging frugality to the point of selling off state airplanes, Crist has ramped up his frequent flier status by flying from Pensacola to Miami with the King and Queen of Spain last month while lawmakers analyzed the budget line by line.

Crist stopped in Tallahassee for his budget announcement before flying to Washington, D.C., for a meeting with President Barack Obama and an appearance on "Meet the Press."

Combine that whirlwind with the nonstop chatter about whether Crist will run for U.S. Senate in 2010 or run for re-election with an eye on the White House in the future, and many lawmakers wonder where Crist's focus really lies.

"As soon as he got the job, he seemed to be looking on to the next thing," said Rep. Keith Fitzgerald, D-Sarasota, a political science professor at New College. "He's interested in the job, but he's just as interested in being in the national spotlight."

Brian Ballard is one of Tallahassee's top lobbyists and a top fundraiser and friend of the governor. He said Crist's forays into national politics and international relations are performed with Florida in mind as he seeks federal aid and foreign investments.

Ballard added that Crist may avoid the historic challenges that Florida's governors usually face as the two-year honeymoon ends. "I think they traditionally give governors the first year and maybe a little bit of the second year, and then they start challenging him," Ballard said.

"So far, I think he's done better with the Legislature than any governor I've been around. And a guy with 70 percent approval, very few politicians will want to flick the guy in the nose a couple of times," he said.

Crist was not in Tallahassee last week and did not return calls requesting comment.

Despite the worst economic collapse in modern state history, Crist maintains approval ratings of nearly 70 percent and even his staunchest critics realize there is little political gain in battling him.

Former Rep. Don Brown, R-DeFuniak Springs, was one of the few lawmakers to publicly rip Crist's plan to expand state-run Citizens Property Insurance. He said Crist has put the state on the path to ruin by putting all taxpayers on the hook to pay for premiums in case of a disastrous hurricane.

"I think his hold on the Legislature has lightened up a little bit. I don't know that it's lightened up enough that the members will have the courage to actually try to fix the situation," Brown said.

"They are more willing now to recognize the crisis but, then again, when they look at the governor's popularity ratings, it scares the stew out of them." Brown said.

<p>TALLAHASSEE - The seeds of resentment have been planted in the Legislature as lawmakers from the left and the right grumble under the pressure of budget blues that have dropped state spending by $7 billion in the past two years.</p><p>But their anger may be vented toward Gov. Charlie Crist as lawmakers open up their annual 60-day session on Tuesday with deep cuts in education and health care spending likely.</p><p>After lawmakers made a difficult decision to cut spending for a popular environmental land purchasing program in January, Crist vetoed the cut despite feelings among some lawmakers that he had promised to support them.</p><p>While even conservative Republicans are taking tentative tiptoes toward the sensitive topic of tax increases, Crist loudly proclaimed they weren't necessary. And as legislative leaders like Senate budget chief J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales, have made a point of encouraging frugality to the point of selling off state airplanes, Crist has ramped up his frequent flier status by flying from Pensacola to Miami with the King and Queen of Spain last month while lawmakers analyzed the budget line by line.</p><p>Crist stopped in Tallahassee for his budget announcement before flying to Washington, D.C., for a meeting with President Barack Obama and an appearance on "Meet the Press."</p><p>Combine that whirlwind with the nonstop chatter about whether Crist will run for U.S. Senate in 2010 or run for re-election with an eye on the White House in the future, and many lawmakers wonder where Crist's focus really lies.</p><p>"As soon as he got the job, he seemed to be looking on to the next thing," said Rep. Keith Fitzgerald, D-Sarasota, a political science professor at New College. "He's interested in the job, but he's just as interested in being in the national spotlight."</p><p>Brian Ballard is one of Tallahassee's top lobbyists and a top fundraiser and friend of the governor. He said Crist's forays into national politics and international relations are performed with Florida in mind as he seeks federal aid and foreign investments.</p><p>Ballard added that Crist may avoid the historic challenges that Florida's governors usually face as the two-year honeymoon ends. "I think they traditionally give governors the first year and maybe a little bit of the second year, and then they start challenging him," Ballard said.</p><p>"So far, I think he's done better with the Legislature than any governor I've been around. And a guy with 70 percent approval, very few politicians will want to flick the guy in the nose a couple of times," he said.</p><p>Crist was not in Tallahassee last week and did not return calls requesting comment.</p><p>Despite the worst economic collapse in modern state history, Crist maintains approval ratings of nearly 70 percent and even his staunchest critics realize there is little political gain in battling him.</p><p>Former Rep. Don Brown, R-DeFuniak Springs, was one of the few lawmakers to publicly rip Crist's plan to expand state-run Citizens Property Insurance. He said Crist has put the state on the path to ruin by putting all taxpayers on the hook to pay for premiums in case of a disastrous hurricane.</p><p>"I think his hold on the Legislature has lightened up a little bit. I don't know that it's lightened up enough that the members will have the courage to actually try to fix the situation," Brown said.</p><p>"They are more willing now to recognize the crisis but, then again, when they look at the governor's popularity ratings, it scares the stew out of them." Brown said.</p>